NOVEL WEB Chapter 684: A façade.
Arwen stiffened for a moment when she heard Catrin. Her eyes zeroed in on the words written in bold letters.
Letter of Severance.
She stared at it for a long moment, saying nothing.
Around her, the air seemed to still. Guests glanced at one another, unsure how to react —or whom to side with.
To Emily, however, this was just perfect.
When Catrin had first stopped Arwen from leaving, Emily's heart had plummeted, fearing the worst —that Catrin might, in some twisted maternal sentiment, be actually doing it to make Arwen return. But the moment she heard her mention the letter of severance, she could barely hide her glee.
She had always known, though she never admitted it aloud, that as long as Arwen remained a Quinn, her position as heiress could never be secure. Even if she wore the title now, it could be ripped away in the future should Arwen decide to claim what was rightfully hers —because no matter what, Arwen was the real daughter—the rightful heir.
But this … this would change everything.
If Arwen signed that letter, it would be all over. With her small sign, she wouldn't be just severing her toes with the Quinn family —she would be relinquishing every claim to its wealth, name, and influence.
With a single signature, Emily's fears for the future would vanish. The heir's seat would be hers —uncontested and irrevocable.
"What's wrong?" Catrin's voice once again cut through the air. Her words carried a strange note of confidence that no one around could understand. "Didn't you say you weren't regretting the decision you made? What's bothering you now? It's just an official paper that would seal your words forever. Weren't you so certain just now? Why are you hesitating then?"
Arwen didn't look up. She simply kept staring down at the papers in her hand. No one could see the expression on her face, but everyone could guess her emotions.
It must be very heartbreaking.
After all, severing a relationship nurtured for years wasn't easy for anyone —especially one bound by blood.
They felt sympathy for her and began speaking on her behalf.
"Mrs. Quinn, please don't do this to her," someone said, their voice thick with empathy. Even if she did something wrong, she is still your daughter. This is too cruel a punishment."
"Right, Catrin," another woman added. She sounded closer to Catrin the way she addressed her by her first name. "We have all seen you and Arwen from the beginning. You both have cared for each other —especially Arwen. From a young age, she did everything to make you and Idris proud. She is your daughter. How could you bear to sever ties with her?"
"Mrs. Quinn, try to talk with her," another guest urged. "She is still the daughter you gave birth to. How could she not understand your intentions? If you explain your concerns, I am sure she will understand."
"Severing ties like this will only bring regret —if not today, then tomorrow," an older gentleman said gravely. "And now that she is married, you must think of her future. Without her family's backing, her new family might mistreat her. Don't be this harsh to your own daughter. Think again."
Catrin heard them all, but she barely cared to consider their words. Not because she was too wilful to put her thoughts to them, but because everyone around was just too oblivious to her plans.
To them, she might look serious about severing the ties with her own daughter. But in reality, she had no such plans.
All of this was just a facade —a facade to push Arwen enough to make her accept the reality. Her regret. To make Arwen see that if she doesn't react in time, she might lose everything with no chance of having it recovered in future.
This was just an attempt to make Arwen come back to them … her family.
After all, that was all her plan throughout.
And her plan finally felt inching toward success. Her eyes stared at Arwen, noting the way she was staring at the papers.
Given how it took her off guard, it says enough. She must not have seen this coming. How could she?
All this while she was treating all this as a play.
Although Arwen saw through it all, Catrin had the trick up her sleeve. The letter of severance. She was sure this would be enough to push Arwen into believing the seriousness of all.
Catrin's lips curved up in a known smile —cold and slightly mocking as she stared at Arwen before sweeping her gaze around everyone who had just spoken for her. "You all seem to think I am forcing her. But I am simply offering her a chance to make her stance clear. She was the one who declared she wanted nothing more to do with us. This letter only makes it official."
Her gaze flicked to Arwen again. "So … are to signing it or not?"
Before anyone could say anything, Arwen finally looked up. Her eyes were calm, finding Catrin's, the very moment she lifted her gaze to look.
It was nothing like what Catrin expected it to be. She thought them to be red, brimming with tears. But Arwen's gaze at the moment was even and full of vitality.
And that confused Catrin to her core. She couldn't understand.
"Are you sure you want me to sign these?" Arwen asked, raising the paper a little in the air.
Catrin looked at her, her brows furrowing. "What do you mean?" she failed to understand. She could bring herself to think that Arwen was seriously thinking about signing those papers for real.
However, Arwen was very sure of whatever she was thinking. Her gaze flicked to the paper once before she asked again. "I am asking if you really want me to sign these papers."
"O-Of course," Catrin said, clenching her fingers tight, chanting in her heart that Arwen was just trying to pull a strong exterior. "If I asked the lawyers to prepare these papers, then, of course, I want you to sign them. Don't tell me you are thinking —"
Before she could finish, Arwen smiled faintly and nodded, cutting her off with ease.
"Fine. I will sign it then."